Maximizing tire life

Paying attention to a few things will help you get the most sessions and weekends out of your tires, and likely make you faster

Unless you have an unlimited budget or a really generous tire sponsor, chances are you want to get the most out of your tires. If you can get a couple of weekends or even more out of them, that goes a long way toward making sure your budget lasts the season.

Ken Payne is technical director for BFGoodrich Tires, Mazda's partner in the Battery Tender Global MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires. As a guy who watches racers use and abuse tires and analyzes the aftermath – along with having put a few miles on the track himself – he knows how to keep tires going longer.

First, he notes, driving style plays a big part. Smooth is fast, and it's also the best way to preserve your tires. Less sliding, less locking up the brakes means more rubber stays on your tires and they stay rounder, which is obviously pretty important. But beyond that, there are several factors that affect tire wear.

Read the full story at MazdaMotorsports.com